READING

How to use your home to make more money

How to use your home to make more money

When it comes to starting a small business, you should always look at the assets you already have and how you can use them effectively. Your home is probably your most valuable asset and, as such, could be a great starting point for making a little extra on the side or even creating a literal home business.

But while most people might assume that adding value to your home and then selling it on is the only way to make money, there are a few other ideas that might just get you going. From renting out your whole house to a film company to making new friends over a delicious dinner, here are a few ideas you might like to consider.

Create an Allotment Business

Growing your own veg is a real test of patience but the rewards you reap are pretty awesome. To start with, you should make sure that your ground is suitable for the crops you want to plant (soil testing Brisbane is well recommended) to ensure that you will get the best results.

While there will never be a lot of money in having an allotment, there are a few different ways that you can add value to your crops. Whether you choose to create small batch homebrews or bake cakes and pies, your local community should be your main focus. Find out what your neighbors are willing to buy and then grow it or make it!

Rent Out Your Spare Room

If you have a house with a spare room or two, you have a brilliant opportunity. Not only will people pay to stay over (as in Airbnb) but they may also wish to use your home as a location.

There are plenty of small film companies and students who are always looking for locations for filming and if you are willing to make some minor modifications inside, you could become a real catch. All you need to do is list your home on a few sites to see whether you gain any attention.

Of course, once you are in the business of renting, you might find that you have all kinds of things in your home that you could rent out. From set dressing to more practical things like gardening equipment, the idea of casual rental is really taking off as a green way of life.

Be a Dinner Party Host

Another rising trend is that of the dinner party host. Combining the joy of eating out with the opportunity to make new friends, offering your home as a dinner party venue is a great idea for budding chefs. All you need to do is sign up for a site like WelcomeOver, work out your menu and then decide how much to charge per head.

Of course, hosting a dinner party isn’t just about great food. You should also make sure that your dining room looks great and you have a niche in mind. Making your experience stand out from the rest is important if you want to make this a regular thing.


Christine Buske is a former academic who left science at the bench, and now considers herself a woman in tech. She is a frequently invited speaker, and enjoys talking about career transformation (particularly leaving academia for the business world), tech, issues around women in tech, product management, agile, and outreach. She is a proud Canadian resident, and qualifies as a "serial expat".

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.